"SAGA questions" Topic

So, I've been invited to participate in a game of SAGA – I've seen the rules sets advertised, but I'm not sold on any of the currently listed armies – no Vikings, Saxons, Welsh, Normans, and the like interest me.

Question 1: I saw they have what looks to be a Byzantine expansion – has anyone seen it and is it any good?

Question 2: I like the skirmish aspect of the game and have yet to play, what are the thoughts of those who play on campaign-ability?

Question 3: Have any of you been successful in interesting younger players in historical games like SAGA?

Final Question 4: Who carries this stuff in the U.S. besides Brookhurst Hobbies?

@Jovian
No complete answers.

Q1: yes , there is a Byzantine expansion. It came out in the latest supplement together with Pagan Rus and Rus Princes. Byzantines are IMHO one of the easiest facions to play with. Lovely figures too.

Q2: SAGA isn't really meant for campaigns but you could play individual scenarios. If you want a real campaign you'll have to do some work to come up with a few -linked scenarios.
I don't think you could really let a scenario influence the next.

Q3: Yes quite a few times now and some were very enthousiastic about it.

Q4: absolutely no idea

I'm not sure if they are the easiest to play with. They require a bit more thought than some of the others, since their abilities rely so much on cooperation between different units. You can't just get a unit of hearthguard, throw a bunch of abilities on them and send them charging in. You need to plan ahead a bit and make sure the right units are in the right position to support each other. That being said, if you can get them into that position they can be quite effective.

Architects of War is another place you can order from in the US.

SAGA:

link

Q2: There are currently 2 different campaign systems written by players on the Studio Tomahawk Saga forums. Each offers some interesting ideas for using Saga in a continuing campaign based around your warlord. Lots of other good info on the Studio Tomahawk forum as well
studiotomahawk.freeforums.org

Thanks AlienDungeon – I found that site after going to Gripping Beast's page – and found that the Byzantine supplement is a "pre-order" on the Architects of War site and as an actual order product on GB's page. I "pre-ordered" it and hope that the "end of April" shipping guideline is in place because it is now May 1, so I hope they ship both ASAP so I can see if I can assemble a traveling force for the trip over Memorial Day this year to Minneapolis. Perhaps we can build two forces from our collection of Rus and other Slavic forces.

Thanks for the answers – I hope that with this purchase I can interest some folks in some new historical games other than Flames of War at the local FLGS. We shall see!

Great set of rules, but like "nochules" said they do take some thinking and planning. You will need the base rule set to go along with the latest supplement to have all the rules.

Thanks Thomas O – I also ordered the main rules. The next question is what are SAGA dice – and do they have a Byzantine set yet? I didn't see one yet – but will read the rules and if necessary, will build my own set from blanks and paint with a clear coat.

You can make your own dice from downloading die faces off the forum. There are 5 different sets total. The Byzantines use the Norman set.

Buying the sets worked for me -- I bought them all plus made my own of each set. I've no regrets about this.

I really like Saga. If you want a couple of games in the twin cities area later, please let me know and I'll try to oblige :^)

There is a chart in the back of the main rules to convert the custom dice to normal D6. I am pretty sure the Byzantines are going to use the Norman dice set. If you go to the link that "BCantwell" posted and go to the "Armoury" you can download the dice symbols. The row with the "kite shields, helmets and flag" are the Norman dice symbols.

Great game, the battle board is the key to the game. Knowing yours and also by knowing what your enemy's board can do is the key.

I belive it was Wargames Illustrated 131, they had the Byzantine battle board in it. Very hard to find issue though.

Thanks Thomas O: I will check to see if we have that issue – we subscribe to Wargames Illustrated through our local FLGS and get it each month and have for the past four or five years. I will review the back issues we have and see what is there. I still need to read the actual rules – as you probably can't figure the game out from just the boards.

@Bohemund – I am heading out over the Memorial Day weekend to spend time with an old friend whom I haven't seen in years – we plan on gaming, eating at fun restaurants, seeing the local color, and more gaming. SAGA was one of the rule sets proposed and also Maurice. We are keen to try both sets, I own Maurice, but have yet to dig out the troops and throw down for a game with my dad and son as we still have a good following at the FLGS for Flames of War – and we get new participants every other month. So, we will see how things keep progressing this month and hopefully if we like these rule sets we will introduce them to the rest of the group.

Jovian1, are you playing in the afternoon or evening session at Enfilade? I'm in the evening.

We won't be at Enfilade this year – we will be in Minneapolis that weekend – gaming and seeing an old friend whom we haven't seen in many years.

Gaming with an old friend is just as fun!
Hope to see you next year!